Serving tray

ABSTRACT

A serving tray is disclosed. The serving tray includes a planar shaped body having a length, weight, and height. The height is substantially less than the length and the width. An upward-facing surface of the tray has at least one cutout. A magnetic element is positioned inside each at least one cutout. A connecting element attaches each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of tableware, and more specifically for trays for carrying items.

BACKGROUND

The hospitality industry is a broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruise line, traveling and additional fields within the tourism industry. The hospitality industry is a highly competitive industry. According to the National Restaurant Association, the United States restaurant industry alone predicts $863 billion in annual revenue in 2019.

Because of the restaurant and hospitality industries' highly competitive natures, business owners and individuals are continuously seeking ways to improve systems, processes, and tools used within the restaurant industry. Additionally, business owners and individuals are continuously seeking fun and creative ways to present food to their customers and enhance the overall consumer dining experience.

One problem that has plagued the restaurant industry for many years is damage to items used in the restaurant industry. Damage to or breaking of items used for serving food, such as plates, glasses, containers, and other items, frequently occurs due to items accidentally slipping or falling off trays. Additionally, items that may have fallen on the floor of a restaurant may other further injure customers, employees and other individuals if the items on the floor are not cleaned up or removed within a reasonable amount of time.

Additionally, another trend in the restaurant industry is using wooden serving trays to serve hot items or for adding additional an additional feature to the dining experience for customers and patrons. However, wooden serving trays in some cases tend to be somewhat smaller than other types of trays, which increases the probability that items may fall off the serving tray, which in turn increases the cost due to lost time, damage to items and increase risk of personal injury.

As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art and more particularly for a more efficient way of maintaining items on trays.

SUMMARY

A serving tray is disclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description, including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, a serving tray is disclosed. The serving tray includes a planar shaped body having a length, weight, and height. The height is substantially less than the length and the width. An upward-facing surface of the tray has at least one cutout. A magnetic element is positioned inside each at least one cutout. A connecting element attaches each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray.

Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a first example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a second example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a third example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 5, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a fourth example embodiment:

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 7, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a fifth example embodiment:

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 9, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a serving tray, according to a fifth example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 11, according to an example embodiment; and,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a serving tray having an item attached to a magnetic element and other items resting on the upward-facing surface of the tray, according to an example embodiment; and,

FIG. 14 is perspective views of multiple embodiments of the serving trays wherein each tray has items attached thereto, according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting reordering or adding additional stages or components to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by the appended claims.

The disclosed embodiments improve upon the prior art by magnetic element positioned inside each at least one cutout of the serving tray to prevent items from falling off an upward facing surface of the tray. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments improve over the prior art by providing magnetic elements positioned in a certain pattern to maximize the number of useful configurations for which items may be attached to the try. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments improve over the prior art by providing a better and more efficient means for serving items on the table. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments improve over the prior art by providing the magnetic element that is configured to removably attach to a substantially flat disc having magnetic properties attached to an item, a skewer, a ramekin, a container, dish, a bowl, etc.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1-14 and the disclosed embodiments disclose a serving tray 100 for preventing food from falling off an upward-facing surface. The serving tray defines a perimeter having a circular shape, a paddle shape, an oval shape, a polygonal shape, a triangular shape, etc. or any combination thereof. It should be appreciated that the serving tray 100 can have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention

The serving tray may be comprised of a material such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, other metals or alloys, composites, ceramics, polymeric materials such as polycarbonates, such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic), Lexan™, and Makrolon™. The components of the serving tray may be of the same material or different materials and may be manufactured from the same or different processes.

In the present embodiment, the serving tray (FIGS. 1 and 3), comprises of a planar shaped body which has a length 110, width 115, and height 120, wherein the height is substantially less than the length 110 and the width 115. The planar shaped body has an upward facing surface having at least one cutout 135, a magnetic element positioned inside 140 each at least one cutout, and a connecting element 1310 attaching each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray.

In the present embodiment, the planar shaped body has an upward facing surface having at least one cutout 135, a magnetic element positioned inside 140 each at least one cutout, and a connecting element 1310 attaching each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray. The upward-facing surface may comprise polymeric materials, wood, metallic materials, alloys, or any combination thereof. The upward-facing surface may be formed from a single shaped body. However, it is understood that other shapes may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, a magnetic element is positioned inside each at least one cutout, and a connecting element 1310 attaching each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray. The serving tray includes at least two magnetic elements configured such that at least two serving containers are removably attached to the serving tray. The presence of the magnetic element positioned inside each at least one cutout of the serving tray allows for the prevention of items from falling off the upward-facing surface of the tray. For example, for with the fast-moving food runners, and food servers prevents from having food slide around the serving tray, but rather it will be magnetically connected.

The magnetic elements can be either cylindrical or rectangular. Cylindrical magnetic element positioned at a first end of the tray and at least one elongated rectangular-shaped magnetic element at a second end of the tray. In the present embodiment, the magnetic elements are cylindrical. However, it is understood that magnetic elements can also take the shape of a rectangular. The magnetic element may comprise of Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB or NIB), Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), Alnico, Ceramic or Ferrite. However, other shapes and sizes may of the magnetic elements may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of present invention.

One of the inventive features of the invention is that the magnetic elements can be positioned in a certain pattern to maximize the number of useful configurations for which items may be attached to the try. FIGS. 5-12 show the various configurations for which the magnetic elements can be positioned. For example, a user configuration can vary with the various entree's or ordered meals, like a cup of soup would require a bowl, and a kabob would require a skewer.

In the present embodiment, a connecting element attaches each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray. The connecting element is an adhesive. The connecting element can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising materials such as comprise lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, rosin, silicone, and zinc oxide.

The magnetic element is configured to removably attach to a substantially flat disc having magnetic properties attached to an item. Wherein the magnetic element is configured to removably attach an item to the tray, wherein said item includes at least one of a skewer, a ramekin, a container, dish, a bowl, etc. However, it is understood that other items may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The items used to attach to tray may vary depending on tray configuration. In one embodiment, the item may be at least one a skewer. In another embodiment, the item may be at least a ramekin. However, it is understood that other items may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The planar shaped body serving tray further includes a connecting element attaching each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing of the tray. The connecting element is an adhesive. The connecting element is attaching each magnetic element positioned inside each at least one cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray. It should be appreciated that the connecting element can have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The connecting element can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising materials such as comprise lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, rosin, silicone, and zinc oxide.

Although the connecting element depicted in the FIGS. 1-14 is an adhesive; those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure could be a fastener. The connecting element fasteners may include a suction cup, hooks, bolt, set crews, opening configured to attached to protruding element, socket screws u-bolts, twine, etc. However, it is understood that other items may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In operation, in order to prevent damage of items through accidental slippages, a user would have to have a connecting element attached to each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface. It is important to use the serving tray with its longitudinal axis or central axis of the planar shaped body serving tray is represented by hashed line (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-12), such that an upward facing surface is maintained.

In operation, in order to improve systems, processes, and tools used within the restaurant industry, users of the serving tray would have to present food items in a fun and creative way. To create individualized configuration tailored to the needs of the user, items on the tray in the present embodiment could include magnetic elements distal and proximal to the longitudinal line or central axis of the planar shaped body serving tray. FIGS. 13 and 14, the items, skewer, a ramekin, a container, dish, a bowl, etc. are positioned in a certain pattern to maximize the number of useful configurations for which items may be attached to the tray.

In operation, a user would carry the serving tray from the restaurant kitchen, with various items configurations. The various items configured on the serving tray are magnetically attached, allowing for ease of removability. Additionally, magnetic elements are allowed to be positioned in a certain pattern to maximize the number of useful configurations for which items may be attached to the tray. Furthermore, the magnetic element positioned inside each at least one cutout of the serving tray to prevent items from falling off an upward facing surface of the tray.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. 

We claim:
 1. A serving tray comprising: a planar shaped body having a length, width, and height, wherein the height is substantially less than the length and the width; an upward facing surface of the tray having at least one cutout; a magnetic element positioned inside each at least one cutout; a connecting element attaching each magnetic element to each cutout such that an upward facing surface of each magnetic element is substantially flush with the upward-facing surface of the tray.
 2. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the serving tray defines a paddle shape.
 3. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the serving tray includes a cylindrical magnetic element positioned at a first end of the tray and at least one elongated rectangular-shaped magnetic element at a second end of the tray.
 4. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the serving tray defines a perimeter having a circular shape, a paddle shape, an oval shape, a polygonal shape, a triangular shape, an oval shape, etc. or any combination thereof.
 5. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is configured to removably attach an item to the tray, wherein said item includes at least one of a skewer, a ramekin, a container, dish, a bowl, etc.
 6. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is configured to removably attach to a substantially flat disc having magnetic properties attached to an item.
 7. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the serving tray comprises at least two magnetic elements configured such that at least two serving containers are removably attached to the serving tray.
 8. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the connecting element is an adhesive. 